Westfield's Symone Merritt works for a block against St. Agnes last season. She returns for the Mustangs this year.

Westfield's Symone Merritt works for a block against St. Agnes last season. She returns for the Mustangs this year.

Photo: Jerry Baker, Freelance

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Westfield hoping for bounce-back year

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Westfield took a step back last year.

After winning 21 games in their only season under former coach Cassidy Chretien, the Mustangs struggled to rebuild last season under Tamesha Chambers, who was forced to overhaul a divided roster.

The team stumbled to just 3-11 in District 15-6A play.

"Last year was a real struggle, not only for the girls but for myself," said Chambers, who is gearing up for her second season. "It took us a little time to learn each other and get everything worked out.

"I came into a team divided against itself, so the biggest thing was to try to get us all on the same page on the court as a team, because it was not a team."

Next up: Practice opens Aug. 3. The Mustangs scrimmage Aug. 7-8 and open the season Aug. 10 at home with Hightower.

Key players: L Precious Butler, OH Symone Merritt, RS Jaycelyn Clay

Chambers said the Mustangs progressed throughout the season, making strides in every phase of the game.

Now she's hoping that translates to more wins in 2015.

"At first we were struggling blocking, we were struggling putting balls down, and our blocks got stronger," she said. "We were able to step up and block people a little more and put more balls down.

"My back row definitely stepped it up, and pretty much all around everyone progressed and everyone got better."

Unfortunately, not everyone is back to keep the team moving forward.

Westfield graduated three, including middle blocker Tatiana Hollins, who inked with Ranger College, and Gabrielle Montague (Coastal Bend College), and lost two other players to off-court issues.

"We're definitely not going to look the same as we did last year," Chambers said.

The top returners are junior outside hitter Symone Merritt, sophomore right side Jaycelyn Clay and senior libero Precious Butler.

Merritt was moved up for district last season.

"She can jump through the roof," Chambers said. "This girl has so much natural ability. It's just trying to refine it and get her skills ups."

Merritt's only 5-9, but her vertical and wingspan are fueling great expectations.

"Last year, she could hit in front of the 10-foot line already," Chambers said. "She's just inconsistent.

"I have to get her consistent and work on her passing. But with her blocking, she can get up there, her timing is on the block is good, and whether her timing is off or not, she can still catch the ball on her way up or down because she's very long."

Chambers wants the 5-10 Clay, who has a strong serve, playing all around.

She's hoping Clay's experience as a freshman on varsity helps her expand her versatile skill set this season.

"She has heart and she's a hustler, and it's rare these days to see girls who have heart and passion," Chambers said. "And she's one of those who, no matter what I tell her to do, is going to get out there and do it.

"She's not going to question it."

Chambers wants Butler playing all the way around, too, and possibly setting, as she continues shaking up the roster.

"I'm forcing a lot of people to push and do things that they're not used to doing," Chambers said. "I lost a setter (Montague) … so I'm having to search and try to find setters and backup setters."

How Butler is deployed also could depend on matchups.

Chambers said she likely wouldn't put her on the front row against the Klein schools, who have more size, but she won't know for sure until they get to two-a-day practices, which begin Aug. 3.

The Mustangs scrimmage Aug. 7 at Oak Ridge and Aug. 8 at Klein and open Aug. 10 at home against Hightower.

"I really need a setter," Chambers said. "That's probably where I have the biggest hole at. And then it's getting my girls to play all around.

"I have tons of back-row players and tons of hitters, but only a select few can play all around. I want my girls to be able to play any position I put them on the court."